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How Laser Pointer Became a Threat to Airplanes

I was listening to the public radio on my way home and heard some stories about somebody got arrested by shooting laser at airplanes. I was fascinated to find how could those people get hold of the laser “weapon” that can even endanger the airplane. It seems to be pretty dangerous thing. So I did some internet search to find out how.

As it turn out, the kind of laser they used are just ordinary office supplies: the laser pointers. Even I personally owned several for making presentations. The seeming safe prank can actually cause big problem if the light shines into the cockpit of the airplane. And you can get yourself in jail for 5 years for doing this.